Philippians 3:12 TPT

I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover.

Philippians 3:13-14 TPT

I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14 NASB95

Not that I have already obtained it or have become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward for what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Deuteronomy 8:2

Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

Why should I press toward the goal?

Jeremiah 1:5 NASB

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.

How Do I Press toward the Goal?

1. By following the example of Biblical characters

Romans 15:4

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

2. By enjoying the journey not just the destination

3. Realize your need for significant others in your life

Proverbs 18:1

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

Priority 1: Become a God chaser.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord the spirit. We are being transformed.

Exodus 34:28

So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Exodus 34:29-30

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Priority 2: Become a thankful person.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psalm 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.

Priority 3: Becoming a Wordful person.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Psalm 119:9-11 TPT

How can a young man stay pure? Only by living in the word of God and walking in its truth. I have longed for you with the passion of my heart; don’t let me stray from your directions! I consider your prophecies to be my greatest treasure, and I memorize them and write them on my heart to keep me from committing sin’s treason against you.

Priority 4: Become a faithful person.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Priority 5: Becoming a Spirit-filled person.

Ephesians 5:18 NLT

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Priority 6: Become a brand-new person.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Psalm 51:10 NLT

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Priority 7. Become a cleansed person.

Proverbs 4:23 NLT

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Cleansing the home:

A. Have you compromised anywhere in your choice of friends or activities?

B. Do you maintain obedience to parents?

C. Do you participate in any lying, dishonesty, or untruthfulness?

D. Do you exercise impure joking or speech?

Ephesians 4:29 NLT

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Priority 8: Becoming a serving person.

Acts 20:35b

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Hebrews 6:10 NLT

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.